Newcastle United boss Rafael Benitez has claimed that Chelsea are good enough to mount a title challenge this season.

Having won the league in Antonio Conte's first year at Stamford Bridge in 2016/17, the Blues missed out on a top-four finish back in May after a frustrating season in the capital.

Finishing 30 points behind behind eventual champions Man City, the Blues have started the new season in style with two successive wins under Maurizio Sarri.

Now looking to make it three on the spin against Newcastle this afternoon, Benitez, who managed the Blues in the 2012/13 season, believes his former team can challenge Man City and Liverpool for the top prize.

Asked if Sarri's side can win the league this season, the Spaniard said: "I think so.

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"Maybe at the moment, there are three teams that you could say that they are a little bit ahead of the others, for me – Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City – because of the level, the performances last year and the money they spent.

"Then Manchester United, Tottenham and Arsenal, they have to go back to things they were doing well.

"They have quality in the squad and they can compete, for sure.

"But if you have to pick three, I will pick these. They have enough quality to do well."